Charley Parkhurst – Tough Lady Stage Driver
The windswept landscapes of 19th-century California witnessed the passage of stagecoaches, rumbling conveyances that linked burgeoning towns and scattered settlements. At the reins of many of these coaches sat individuals of remarkable skill and fortitude, men whose names became synonymous with the Wild West. Among them, a legend arose: Charley Parkhurst. Known by many monikers – One-Eyed Charley, Mountain Charley, and Six-Horse Charley – Charley Parkhurst was a figure of renown, a tobacco-chewing, hard-drinking, gambling stage driver whose life took an unexpected turn upon their death in 1879. For Charley Parkhurst was, in truth, a woman named Charlotte Darkey Parkhurst.
Charlotte’s story began in 1812 in the rolling hills of New Hampshire. Her early life was marked by hardship, as she found herself an orphan. Restless and yearning for something more, Charlotte made a bold decision: she ran away from the orphanage, adopting the guise of a young man. This deception, born of necessity, proved surprisingly successful. She found work at a livery stable in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she began to hone the skills that would later define her life. It was here, amidst the scent of hay and horseflesh, that Charlotte learned to handle horses, repair harnesses, and develop the unwavering confidence required to manage a team.
The allure of the West, with its promise of opportunity and adventure, soon beckoned. Around 1849, two of Charlotte’s friends from the East, James Birch and Frank Stevens, ventured to California. These enterprising men consolidated several smaller stage lines, creating the California Stage Company, a significant player in the burgeoning transportation network. Drawn by the prospect of a new life and the chance to utilize her burgeoning skills, Charlotte, still masquerading as a man named Charley, followed them westward.
California in the mid-19th century was a land of rapid change and relentless ambition. The Gold Rush had transformed the region, drawing people from all corners of the globe in search of fortune. Stagecoaches were the lifeblood of this expanding society, transporting passengers, mail, and vital supplies across vast distances. Charley Parkhurst quickly found employment as a stage driver, a profession demanding courage, skill, and an intimate knowledge of the terrain. The routes were often treacherous, winding through steep mountain passes and across arid plains. Dangers abounded, from unpredictable weather and difficult terrain to the threat of bandits and hostile encounters.
It was a demanding life, but Charley Parkhurst excelled. She quickly earned a reputation as one of the most skilled and reliable drivers on the West Coast. Her knowledge of horses was unparalleled, and she possessed a natural talent for handling the reins. The image of Charley Parkhurst at the helm of a stagecoach, navigating treacherous roads with unwavering confidence, became a familiar sight throughout the region. Shortly after arriving in California, an unfortunate incident occurred. A horse kicked Charley in the face, resulting in the loss of sight in one eye. This injury, however, did little to diminish her resolve. Instead, it became a defining characteristic, contributing to her already formidable persona. The eye patch she wore only added to the air of mystery and toughness that surrounded her.
For two decades, Charley Parkhurst navigated the challenging routes between Santa Cruz and San Jose, driving stages for various lines, including the renowned Wells Fargo. The life of a stage driver demanded not only skill but also a certain level of ruggedness and a willingness to endure hardship. Charley possessed these qualities in abundance. To maintain her disguise, she adopted a number of strategies. She habitually wore gloves, regardless of the weather, to conceal her small hands. She favored pleated shirts that obscured her feminine figure. And she cultivated a gruff demeanor, complete with a penchant for tobacco chewing, cursing, and heavy drinking.
Accounts from the time paint a vivid picture of Charley Parkhurst. One contemporary observer remarked that "she out-swore, out-drank, and out-chewed even the Monterey whalers," a testament to her ability to hold her own in a rough-and-tumble world. Her knowledge of the roads was legendary. One anecdote recounts how, when questioned about her ability to navigate through dense dust storms, she replied, "I’ve traveled over these mountains so often I can tell where the road is by the sound of the wheels. When they rattle, I’m on hard ground; when they don’t rattle, I generally look over the side to see where she’s agoing."
Beyond her skills as a driver, Charley Parkhurst also made a significant, if largely unknown, contribution to the burgeoning political landscape of California. In 1868, she registered to vote, becoming one of the first women to cast a ballot in the state. This act, made possible by her male disguise, highlights the extraordinary circumstances of her life and her unwitting role in the fight for women’s suffrage.
After years of driving stagecoaches, Charley Parkhurst decided to retire from the road. She transitioned to other pursuits, working in lumbering, cattle ranching, and even raising chickens. Eventually, she settled into a quiet life in Watsonville, California, where she lived until her death on December 18, 1879. It was upon her death that the truth about Charley Parkhurst was finally revealed. To the shock and astonishment of her friends and acquaintances, it was discovered that Charley, the tough-as-nails stage driver, was a woman.
The revelation sent shockwaves through the community. The story of Charley Parkhurst, the woman who had lived as a man and thrived in a male-dominated world, became an instant sensation. The San Francisco Morning Call eulogized her, stating that she was "the most dexterous and celebrated of the California drivers, and it was an honor to occupy the spare end of the driver’s seat when the fearless Charley Parkhurst held the reins."
Charley Parkhurst’s life is a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and unwavering spirit of those who ventured West in search of a better life. Her story challenges conventional notions of gender and identity, reminding us that individuals are often more complex and multifaceted than they appear. She navigated a world that was not designed for her, carving out a space for herself through sheer determination and skill. While her deception may have been born of necessity, it allowed her to break free from the constraints of societal expectations and to live a life of adventure and purpose. Today, Charley Parkhurst stands as a symbol of courage, independence, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Her legacy continues to inspire, reminding us to challenge boundaries and to embrace the unexpected twists and turns of life’s journey.